Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Beam Deflection and Rotation using Macaulays Method

11.1 Introduction
There are many methods for calculating the deflections and rotations in beams.
At first year level the number of methods considered is usually restricted to one
or two and almost certainly the first method considered will be the method of
successive integration. This technique, popularly known as Macaulays Method,
will be used in this chapter to solve a variety of beam problems.

11.2 Macaulays Method

11.2.1 Relationship between bending moment and beam curvature

The relationship between the bending moment and any section along a beam
and the curvature at that section is given by

Or

(11.1)

where

EI = the beams flexural rigidity;

M = the bending moment;

R = the radius of curvature;

= the vertical deflection; and

x = distance along the beam measured from a chosen origin.

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

11.2.2 Calculation of rotation and deflection by successive integration

The rotation (d/dx) and vertical deflection () can be determined by integrating
equation (11.1) to give the following expressions:

[ ] (11.2)

and

[ ] (11.3)

In the above equations it is assumed that the flexural rigidity (EI) is constant
along the length of the beam. If EI varies with distance x, then it must be
included within the integration on the right-hand side of the equations.

The constants of integration (A and B) are found by applying the equations at

two locations where the deflection and/or rotation are known. Usually (but not
always) these locations will be the supports of the beam. Once A and B are
evaluated, then appropriate values of distance x can be inserted into the
equations to determine the deflection and rotation at any location along the
beams span.

11.2.3 Macaulays variation

Equations (11.2) and (11.3) are only valid in the region of a beam where a
single expression describes the variation of bending moment over that region.
Where there are discontinuities in the bending moment diagram, such as at the
point of application of a point load, then the equation for bending moment must
be written down using Macaulays Brackets and the following procedure used:

i. Take the origin at the left-hand end of the beam.

ii. Write down the bending moment expression at a section at the extreme
right-hand end of the beam in terms of all loads to the left of that section.
iii. Do not simplify the bending moment expression by expanding any of the
terms involving the distance x which are contained within brackets
(Macaulay brackets).
iv. Integrate, using equations (11.2) and (11.3), keeping all the bracketed
terms within brackets.
v. Apply the resulting equations to any part of the beam but neglect all
terms within the brackets wherever they are negative or zero.

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

11.2.4 Treatment of distributed loads

Where a distributed load does not extend to the right hand end of the beam, as
shown in figure 11.1, then introduce two equal but opposite dummy loads, as
shown in figure 11.2. These two loads will have no net effect on the behaviour of
the beam. The loading system shown in figure 11.2 should then be used when
deriving the initial bending moment expression.
w/unit length

A D
B C

Figure 11.1

w/unit length

A D
B
C

Figure 11.2

11.2.5 Maximum Deflection

The position of the point where maximum deflection occurs can be established
from the fact that the slope of the beam will be zero at this point. Hence,
Equation (11.2) can be equated to zero to establish the value of x at which the
deflection is a maximum. This value of x can then be substituted into equation
(11.3) to give the value of the maximum deflection.

11.3 Symbols, units and sign conventions

A, B = constants of integration
EI = the beams flexural rigidity (kNm2)
M = bending moment (kNm)
= vertical deflection (mm)
= rotation (radians)

x = distance measured along the beam (m)

Sagging moments are taken as positive.
Downward deflections are taken as positive.
Clockwise rotations are positive.
x is measured from the origin at the left-hand end of the beam in a positive
direction towards the right-hand end of the beam.

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Practical Example 1
A horizontal beam with a symmetrical uniform cross-section spans 8 m and is
simply supported at its ends. Point loads of 15kN and 20kN are applied at 1.5m
and 3.5m, respectively, from one end. Both loads act vertically downwards.

Calculate a suitable second moment area for the beams cross-section, given
that the maximum deflection at any point must not exceed 1/400 of the span.
Take E = 200kN/mm2.
x

15 kN 20 kN
X

A D
B C

1.5 m 2m

8m
RA RD
Figure 11.3

Answer
Step 1: Calculate the end reactions RA and RD.

Answers RA = 23.44kN

RD = 11.56kN

Step 2: Construct the bending moment equation at a section X-X close to

the right-hand end of the span.

Answer { } { }

Note the use of the curled {} Macaulay brackets, which must not be expanded to
simplify the moment equation.

Hence the general equation is given by

[ { } { }]

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Step 3: Start integrating the equation once to obtain the angle of rotation
equation.

{ } { }
[ ]

Step 4: Integrate again to obtain the deflection equation.

{ } { }
[ ]

Step 5: Now we need to find the values of the two constants, A and B. This
can be done by knowing some boundary values such as;

Boundary condition 1: When x = 0, = 0. i.e. there is no deflection at the

origin. So put x = 0 and = 0 in the equation above and see which letter you
can manage to work out.

{ } { }
[ ]

Note that since the answer in the bracket terms (green highlighter) is negative,
then these terms are ignored in the calculations. (See also 11.2.3 (v)).

Answer: B=0

Boundary condition 2: When x = 8m, the deflection is also zero but working
with this value is a bit more complicated. Dont forget to put B = 0 since we
have already found this value.

So
{ } { }
[ ]

Answer: A = -126.24

Step 6: Substitute the values found for A and B into the two equations.

So

{ } { }
[ ]

And

{ } { }
[ ]

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Step 7: Find the position of maximum deflection.

This can be done by finding where the angle of rotation of the beam is equal to
zero. So equate the equation for the rotation to zero and solve for x.

i.e.

{ } { }
[ ]

By inspection of the problem, the point of maximum deflection will be near to

mid-span to the right of 20kN load. Hence, the solution will be for some value of
x greater than 3.5m and all the terms in the Macaulay brackets will be positive.
Hence, all the brackets can be expanded and the equation solved for x. If it were
incorrectly assumed that the point of maximum deflection is to the left of the
20kN load, then the solution would give an answer for x which is outside of the
region where it is assumed that the maximum deflection occurs and would,
hence, be seen to be invalid.

( ) ( )

Which has the solution x = 3.75m. Hence, substituting x = 3.75 into the
equation for deflection, we will be able to find the maximum deflection of the
beam.

Step 8: Calculate the maximum deflection.

{ } { }
[ ]

Note that, in the above equation will be in metres, provided that EI is

expressed in kNm2.

Step 9: Calculate the second moment of area

Now, according to the information given in the question, the deflection is limited
to 1/400 of the span. Hence,

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Practical Example 2
The following figure shows a timber beam which is to be designed to carry a
maximum loading of 5kN/m and a minimum loading of 1kN/m as shown. By
using Macauleys Method, calculate the maximum mid-span deflection at C, in
terms of the flexural stiffness (EI) of the beam section.

5 kN/m
1 kN/m 1 kN/m

A B C D E

1.5 4m 1.5 m
m
RA
Answer RD

Step 1: Calculate the end reactions RA and RD.

Answers RA = 11.5kN

RD = 11.5kN

Step 2: Construct the bending moment equation.

Here use can be made of the fact that there

is a symmetry in the structure. The line of
symmetry is found at point C at mid-way X
x
span. Here the rotation of the beam will be
zero. Thus, since we already know where to 4 kN/m
find the maximum deflection, we can
construct the bending moment equation up to 1 kN/m
point C. The first thing to do is to redesign an
equivalent beam up to point C. In the C
A B
equivalent beam a roller support is
introduced at C which will permit vertical
deflection but no rotation. The loading can be
separated into a UDL of 1kN/m and a UDL of X
4kN/m, as shown, so that both loads extend 1.5 2 m
to the right hand end of the beam and thus it m
RA
is not necessary to introduce any dummy
loads.

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Hence the bending moment at a section X-X close to the right-hand end of the
span is given by

{ }
{ }

Note the use of the curled {} Macaulay brackets, which must not be expanded to
simplify the moment equation.

Hence the general equation is given by

{ }
[ { } ]

Step 3: Start integrating the equation once to obtain the angle of rotation
equation.

{ } { }
[ ]

Step 4: Integrate again to obtain the deflection equation.

{ } { }
[ ]

Step 5: Now we need to find the values of the two constants, A and B. This
can be done by knowing some boundary values such as;

Boundary condition 1: When x = 3.5, . i.e. there is no rotation at the

centre of the beam. So put x = 3.5 and in the equation of the rotation
and see which letter you can manage to work out.

Answer: A = -10.52

Boundary condition 2: When x = 1.5m, = 0 since there is no deflection

where the beam is resting on the support. So now we can find the value of B.
Dont forget to put A = -10.52 since we have already found this value.

So
{ } { }
[ ]

Answer: B = 15.99

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Step 6: Substitute the values found for A and B into the two equations.

So

{ } { }
[ ]

And

{ } { }
[ ]

Step 7: Find the position of maximum deflection.

We already know that the position of maximum deflection occurs at x = 3.5m

since the loading was symmetrically distributed. So the only thing remaining to
do is to find the maximum deflection at this point.

Step 8: Calculate the maximum deflection.

{ } { }
[ ]

Note that, in the above equation will be in metres, provided that EI is

expressed in kNm2.

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Practical Example 3
The uniform simply supported beam ABC is subjected to the loading shown in
the next figure. The flexural rigidity of the beam is EI. Determine the slope of
the beam at A and C and the deflection at B.

120 kN
20 kN/m

A D
B C

4m 2m

8m
RA RD

Answer
Step 1: Calculate the end reactions RA and RD.

Answers RA = 90kN

RD = 110kN

Step 2: Construct the bending moment equation at a section X-X close to

the right-hand end of the span.
x
This is an example where
the uniformly distributed X
load does not extend to 120 kN
the right-hand end of the 20 kN/m
span. It is therefore,
necessary to introduce
A D
two equal and opposite B X
dummy uniformly
C
distributed loads, as
shown in the following
figure. It is this second 4m 2m 2m
figure which will form the
basis of the analysis.
90kN 110kN

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Hence the bending moment at a section X-X close to the right-hand end of the
span is given by

{ }
{ }

Note the use of the curled {} Macaulay brackets, which must not be expanded to
simplify the moment equation.

Hence the general equation is given by

{ }
[ { }]

Step 3: Start integrating the equation once to obtain the angle of rotation
equation.

{ } { }
[ ]

Step 4: Integrate again to obtain the deflection equation.

{ } { }
[ ]

Step 5: Now we need to find the values of the two constants, A and B. This
can be done by knowing some boundary values such as;

Boundary condition 1: When x = 0, = 0. i.e. there is no deflection at the

origin. So put x = 0 and = 0 in the equation above and see which letter you
can manage to work out.

{ } { }
[ ]

Note that since the answer in the bracket terms (green highlighter) is negative,
then these terms are ignored in the calculations. (See also 11.2.3 (v)).

Answer: B=0

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Boundary condition 2: When x = 8m, the deflection is also zero. Dont forget
to put B = 0 since we have already found this value.

So
{ } { }
[ ]

Answer: A = -540

Step 6: Substitute the values found for A and B into the two equations.

So

{ } { }
[ ]

And

{ } { }
[ ]

Step 7: Calculate the slope of the beam at A and C.

In order to calculate the slope at A and C the only thing we need are the slope
equation and set x = 0 to calculate the slope at A and set x = 8 to calculate the
slope at C.

Hence slope at A is equal to

{ } { }
[ ]

Again the green sections are ignored since the result in the Macaulays brackets
is negative.

So slope at A is equal to

Similarly slope at C is equal to

{ } { }
[ ]

So slope at C is equal to

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Step 8: Find the deflection at Point B.

This can be done by using the deflection equation and set x = 4. Hence

{ } { }
[ ]

Again the green sections are ignored since the result in the Macaulays brackets
is negative. So

Note that, in the above equation will be in metres, provided that EI is

expressed in kNm2.

Story Sums
Question 1
A steel beam ABCD of uniform cross-section is supported and loaded as shown in
the following figure. The second moment of area of the cross-section of the
beam is 2 106 mm4 and Youngs Modulus for the steel is 200 kN/mm2.

Calculate the vertical deflection at B and the slope at D.

20 kN
8 kN/m

A C D
B

2m 3m 1m

RA RC

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 Unit 48: Structural Behaviour and Detailing for Construction

Question 2
Calculate the location of the point of maximum deflection of the beam shown in
the following figure and determine the value of the maximum deflection. Take EI
= 170 103 kNm2.

10 kN
2.5 kN/m

A D
B C

8m 8m 4m

RA RD

Question 3
The next figure shows the loading on a beam simply supported over a span of
4m. If the flexural rigidity EI is constant along the length of the beam and is
equal to 2000 kNm2, determine:

a. The deflection at end A;

b. The deflection at the mid-span at C;
c. The slope at the support B.

24 kN
16 kN/m 16 kN/m

A B D
C

1m 2m 2m 1m

RB RD

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